The County Los Motilonos, thinly inhabited for want of Provisions, and divided by two Rivers, separates Moyobamba from the Countrey Charasmal.
Southward beyond Caxamalca appear the Countreys Guamachuco, and a little farther Conchucos and Piscobamba, all fruitful and pleasant, and adorn’d with several Structures built by the Ingas.
On the side of Piscobamba the County Guaraz extends it self over barren Mountains, through which the Ingas cut a Royal High-way, and built a strong Castle at the Entrance into the Countrey; the Inhabitants whereof being very laborious, work very diligently in the Gold-Mines.
The Territory Pincos, water’d by a River, and famous for one of the stateliest of the Peruvian Structures, is surrounded by the Countreys Guayalcas, Turama, Bomba, and Conchucos. The Mountains, though dangerous to Travellers by Lyons, great Bears, and other ravenous Beasts, afford abundance of Silver; and the fruitful Soil produces Wheat, Maiz, Grapes, Figs, Oranges, Quinces, Cittrons, Cedars, and; likewise feeds Goats, Horses, and other Cattel.
The Countrey Viticos, being within the Jurisdiction of Guanuco, lies amongst the Mountains Andes, whether Inga Mango fled, when the Spaniards made themselves Masters of Peru.
Chief Towns and Places of note.
The Towns and Places most observable and important in it belonging to the Spaniards, are 1. Miraflores, as the Spaniards call it, a well seated and wealthy Town in the Valley of Zanu, as above mention’d, five Leagues distant from the Sea, where it hath likewise a good Haven or Port.
2. Truxillo, two or three Leagues distant from the Sea; the Haven whereof is said to be large, but not safe. The Town it self is seated in the Valley Chinco, upon the Banks of a pleasant River, whose Water doth not onely run through several Channels to moisten the Fields, but also to accommodate every House in the City: It hath broad Streets, a great Market-place, four Cloysters, two for the Dominicans, one for the Augustines, and the other for the Franciscans; one great Church, five hundred Houses, and a Palace, inhabited by the King’s Collectors, and many Banquetting-houses about it. The good situation and fruitfulness of the Soil, mov’d the Marquess Francisco Pizarro to build this City here Anno 1533. but the Haven belonging to the same lies open to all manner of Winds, so that the Ships Ride here in great danger.
3. La Parilla, otherwise call’d Santa, fourteen Leagues beyond Truxillo Southward, wash’d by the Southern Ocean, and one side by a fresh-water Stream, which being inclos’d between stony Cliffs, makes a secure Harbor.
4. Arnedo, seated ten Leagues Northward from Lima, amongst the Vineyards of the Valley Chancas; otherwise having no great matter in it remarkable, but a fair Dominican Cloyster.